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Anika Horn

How to practice what you preach

Published over 1 year ago • 4 min read

"To be honest, we've been a little frustrated that we haven't had anyone from your team turn out for our events for awhile if the goal is to support efforts up and down the Valley."

Ouch.

I received this note from an ecosystem accomplice last week and she is right. I have not shown up for the events she puts on that benefit the ecosystem.

Didn't I just wrap up a season on the importance of social capital, of showing up for each other and nurturing these relationships?

Yes. Yes, I did.

In my conversation with Rick Turoczy and Margo Fliss, didn't we specifically talk about attending existing events and sitting at tables that others have created? Absolutely.

In the last episode of season 4, didn't I literally say "You simply can't expect people to show up for your thing or trust you if you don't do the same thing for them first without expecting anything in return."

And yet, I totally and wildly ignored my own wisdom. Turns out talking about best practices in ecosystem building and actually executing on them are NOT the same. I'm grateful that this accomplice - who I respect and admire a lot - felt comfortable enough to call me out (instead of outright cancelling me) and that I have a chance to course-direct.

And just as I was working on this newsletter, this post by Adam Grant came across my feed:

And so while I've learned A LOT, I wonder whether I've actually genuinely truly LEARNED these lessons.

Season 2 taught me that I have little control, that the world within which we operate constantly changes and evolves. Throughout 2022, I have become a little more comfortable accepting these unforeseen changes and making the most of them. I wish I could say I find adapting to change easy but I still don't. I just find it a little easier to not freak out and instead trust that what's happening instead is exactly what was supposed to happen in the first place.

Season 3 drilled into me the fact that we get pretty damn close to burning the candle on both ends. I know I need to take better care of myself and I started incorporating some of the lessons that I learned from my guests into my routine. But I'm also still a far cry from becoming a zen-like, equanimous ecosystem builder who upholds her boundaries and has selfcare figured out. Take one look at my calendar and you'll know.

Season 4 emphasized how we might build and maintain trusting relationships in entrepreneurial ecosystems to better collaborate and manage conflict. And... well... you see how that's going for me!

All that is to say that change takes a long time. There are many lessons in life that we have to learn over and over again until they finally take root and become part of how we operate in the world. And I hope that in 2023, a lot more of the lessons I learned this year will seep into who I'm becoming.

Find out more about what I learned in season 4 in the final episode and listen to what else I look back on this year in my 5th logbook - featuring special guest Neil Mylet.

I come across a lot of resources that I think every ecosystem builder should get their hands on. While I share them far and wide on many channels (mostly LinkedIn & Instagram), I love curating a list of the best insights, opportunities and resources for you:

Throughout the 42 podcast episodes I produced in 2022, we collectively gathered over 80 resources for budding and seasoned ecosystem builders -can you believe it? I created a reading list on Good Reads to share the book resources which make up about 50% of the recommended resources:

I'll be back in your inbox next year with two bonus episodes and a new season to ring in the year! I hope you take some time over the holidays to recharge and spend time with your loved ones!

In camaraderie,

Anika

Anika Horn

I'm an ecosystem builder for social change. I love telling the stories of systemic changemakers around the world who make their communities a better place to live, work and play.

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